Charles L. Allen, editor and proprietor of the "Hope Pioneer," is one of the leading newspaper men of that locality, and although he has been the owner of the paper comparatively few years, he has gained a prominent place among the people of Steele county.
Our subject was born in the suburbs of Indianapolis, Marion county, Indiana, June 21, 1865. The Allen family has been in America several generations, the grandfather of our subject, Joseph Allen, sailing from England during the early days, and settling in Virginia. He later moved to Columbus, Ohio, and finally located on a tract of land south of Indianapolis, Indiana. There were but two log cabins in the vicinity at that time, and he was a pioneer of the days of Daniel Boone. His death occurred in 1878, and the estate is still in the hands of his children. Our subject was the only child born to William and Mary (Constable) Allen. At the age of twelve years he started for himself with two dollars in his pocket, and worked at odd jobs in Des Moines, Iowa, for some time, and then learned telegraphy under his uncle at Panora. Iowa. He went to North Dakota, in September. 1883, and worked at farm labor, and the following year accepted a position as operator for the Northern Pacific Railroad at Cooperstown, North Dakota, and in 1886 entered the printing office of the "Griggs County Courier." He established his first newspaper, the "Tower City Journal," in October, 1890, and two years later erected the first building in Enderlin. North Dakota, and edited the "Enderlin Journal." He purchased his present paper in June, 1895, and has prospered in that work. He erected his present fine building and a handsome residence three years later, and now has a well-equipped plant for newspaper work and job printing. "The Hope Pioneer" was established in 1882, by the Red River Land Company, and that building, together with the hotel Hope House, and a general store, at one time constituted the business portion of Hope, North Dakota. Mr. Allen has recently invested in a valuable farm comprising a half-section adjoining the town on the east, and is enjoying a comfortable competence.
Our subject was married in 1893 to Miss Emma C. Loomis, a native of Prairie du Chene, Wisconsin. Mr. Allen is prominent in secret society circles, and holds membership in the following orders : Knights of Pythias, D. O. K. K., and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the grand lodge in the last named order. He is a young man of exceptional ability, and is one of the rising citizens of North Dakota. Politically he is a Republican, and is firm for the principles of his party.
Source: Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota 1900 Page 244